IN THE AIR.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10506, 14 July 1910, Page 4

IN THE AIR.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ] (Per Press Association.) Received July 13, :it 9.50 p.m. London, July 13.' The airship Beta was successful in its journey.from Aldershot to London. The average height was 1500 ft. It circled over St. Paul's. The Sovereigns witnessed its return. Received July 14, at 12.35 a.m. London, July 13. The Hon. C. S. Rolls when the accident occurred, was on a Wright biplane, the same as he used in the crosschannel Hight, but instead of a fixed tail plane yesterday he utilised a Wright's new adjustable stabiliser. Mr Rolls considered the fixed tail-plane greatly assisted stability, but it slightly counteracted the effect of the movements of the elevator. The' new plane Have increased facility to ascend and descend. After circling and gradually increasing the altitude, Mr Rolls at great speed swept over the enclosure with a following wind, and then headed round behind the grandstand, descending a .steep gradient towards the prescribed alighting point. Passing over the lawn at a height of 70 feet he stopped the motor and began descent! at an angle of 40 degrees, in order to use the opposing wind and avoid a long run to the ground, hence with a view of checking the descent and alighting on the wheels he brought the elevating plane up sharply. The sudden air pressure on the tail-plane caused by Mr Rolls' violent pull of the lever precipitated the collapse of the gear connecting the rudder, which snapped at a height of fifty feet. Silence and horror seized the crowd on seeing the machine turn sharply head downwards. It crashed to the ground from a height of 35 feet, tho motor inj stantly exploding with a loud report. King Georgo and Queen Mary sent a. message of condolence to Baron Llangattock, father of tho Hon. C. S. Rolls. Received July 14, at 1.13 a.m. Berlin, July 13. The dirigible balloon Ersloh collapsed near Cologne, and the fivo occupants were killed. Received Julv 14, at 9.10 a.m. Berlin, July .13. The victims of the Erhsloch disaster include Erhsloch, a well-known balloonist, who was designer of an airship. It is believed the motor exploded and liurst the envelope.